The Dragon's Toothbrush

When a young boy named Max stumbles upon a massive, sparkling toothbrush in his backyard, he soon discovers it belongs to a friendly dragon named Ember. Max teams up with Ember to teach him proper brushing techniques, but their adventure spirals into chaos when a group of playful pixies steal the toothbrush to use in their playground. Can Max and Ember retrieve it before bedtime?

Music by AudioCoffee

Transcript

Hello my friends,

My name is Wendy Bee.

Thank you for joining me on today's adventure.

Today we are going to be reading a story called The Dragon's Toothbrush.

Max always loved exploring his backyard.

It wasn't just an ordinary patch of grass with a swing set.

It was a place of mystery where each corner seemed to hold a secret waiting to be uncovered.

But nothing,

Not even the time he found a fossilized snail or a shiny coin from 1875 could have prepared him for what he found that sunny Saturday morning.

Propped against the old oak tree was the biggest toothbrush Max had ever seen.

Its handle gleamed like polished silver and its bristles shimmered in shades of green and gold.

Max's mouth dropped open.

What kind of a giant needs a toothbrush this big?

He whispered,

Poking it gently.

Just as Max was about to haul it into the house to show his mom,

A huge shadow fell over him.

Max froze.

Hello?

Max said,

His voice shaky.

Slowly he turned around.

Standing before him was a dragon,

A real live dragon.

Its scales shimmered a deep emerald green and its enormous gold eyes blinked down at him.

It wasn't the fierce,

Roaring kind of dragon Max had seen in storybooks.

This dragon looked,

Well,

Embarrassed.

Excuse me,

The dragon said in a rumbling voice,

But I think you have found my toothbrush.

Max blinked.

Then he blinked again.

Your toothbrush?

The dragon nodded,

Its long neck swaying.

Yes,

I seem to have dropped it during my morning routine and well… He glanced at Max's muddy shoes and scratched his snout with a talon.

I'm not very good at keeping track of my things.

Max stared at the massive toothbrush,

Then at the dragon.

You brush your teeth?

Of course,

The dragon huffed,

A small puff of smoke escaping his nostrils.

Dragon's teeth are very important,

You know.

If I don't keep them clean,

My breath goes all smoky instead of fiery and my roar becomes more of a wheeze.

It's terribly undignified.

Max couldn't help but laugh.

So,

You're saying you're a dragon with bad breath?

The dragon frowned.

Not for long,

If you'll kindly hand over my toothbrush.

Max hesitated.

Wait a second,

How do I know you're not going to use your fiery breath on me once I give it back?

The dragon sat back on his haunches,

Looking appalled.

I would never!

My name is Ember and I am a polite dragon.

I only use my fiery breath for important things,

Like toasting marshmallows or lighting up dark caves.

Max relaxed a little.

Okay,

Ember,

I'm Max.

He held out the toothbrush,

Which was almost too heavy for him to lift.

Here you go.

Ember reached out with one of his massive claws and delicately plucked the toothbrush from Max's hand.

Thank you,

Max,

He said,

His voice warm.

He examined the toothbrush closely,

Then sighed.

Oh dear,

It has been on the ground.

I can't use it like this.

It's filthy.

Max couldn't believe what he was hearing.

So,

What are you going to do now?

Ember sighed again,

A plume of smoke curling from his snout.

I'll have to clean it first,

But honestly,

I have never been good at this toothbrushing business.

Would you mind helping me?

Helping you brush your teeth?

Max asked,

His eyebrows shooting up.

Yes,

Ember said seriously.

I think I need some human expertise.

Please,

Max,

I'll make it worth your while.

Max considered this.

Helping a dragon brush his teeth wasn't exactly on his weekend to-do list,

But it wasn't every day you got to meet a dragon either.

All right,

He said finally,

But you owe me one.

Ember's face lit up in a toothy grin,

One that showed rows of very large,

Very dirty teeth.

Max garbled.

What had he just signed up for?

Max led Ember to the backyard hose.

OK,

First we need to clean the toothbrush,

Max said,

Turning on the water.

Hold it under the spray.

Ember tried to follow Max's instructions,

But the toothbrush was so large,

It knocked over a potted plant and splashed mud everywhere.

Oops,

Ember said sheepishly.

Max sighed.

This might take a while.

After a few messy minutes,

The toothbrush was clean and sparkling again.

Now,

Let's get to work on your teeth,

Max said,

Pulling over a stepladder from the shed.

You'll need to open wide.

Ember complied,

Opening his jaw so wide that Max could see all the way to the back of his throat.

Whoa,

Max said,

Climbing the ladder.

You've got stuff stuck in there.

Is that a chicken bone?

Possibly,

Ember mumbled.

His voice muffled.

And maybe a marshmallow or two?

Max rolled up his sleeves and got to work.

First he squeezed a big blob of toothpaste that Ember had provided him with onto the toothbrush.

Then he scrubbed and scrubbed,

While Ember tried not to sneeze from all the foamy bubbles.

By the time they were halfway done,

Max was covered in toothpaste and Ember was giggling like a giant green puppy.

This is so much fun,

Ember said,

Accidentally letting out a puff of smoke that made Max cough.

It's exhausting,

Max muttered.

But I think we're making progress.

Just as Max began brushing Ember's bottom teeth,

A high-pitched giggle echoed from the nearby trees.

Max froze.

Did you hear that?

Ember nodded,

His ears twitching.

I think we're being watched.

From the shadows,

A group of tiny figures emerged.

They were no taller than Max's knee,

With wings that shimmered like rainbows and mischievous grins on their faces.

Pixies!

Ember groaned.

The lead pixie stepped forward,

Her tiny hands on her hips.

That's a very shiny toothbrush you've got there,

Dragon,

She said.

It would make the perfect addition to our new playground.

Before Max or Ember could react,

The pixies darted forward,

Grabbed the toothbrush and zipped away into the trees,

Giggling wildly.

Hey!

Max shouted.

Come back with that!

Ember sighed deeply,

His shoulders slumping.

This always happens with pixies.

They love shiny things.

Max looked at Ember's half-clean teeth,

And then at the retreating pixies.

Well,

We're not letting them keep it.

Come on,

Ember,

We're getting that toothbrush back.

Now,

Where do pixies usually hide?

Ember pointed a claw towards the dense trees at the back of Max's yard.

They like places with lots of trees and shiny things.

My guess is they've got a hideout somewhere deep in the forest.

Max nodded.

Then let's go,

But try and stay quiet.

We don't want them to hear us coming.

Ember raised an eyebrow.

I'm a dragon,

Max.

Quiet isn't exactly my speciality.

The two crept into the forest,

Or at least Max crept.

Ember's every step shook the ground,

Scattering birds from the trees and sending squirrels scurrying for cover.

Shhh,

Max hissed,

Looking over his shoulder.

This is me being quiet,

Ember whispered back.

Unfortunately,

His whisper was about as loud as a leaf blower.

Despite the noise,

They pressed on,

Following a trail of glittering dust the pixies had left behind.

Soon they reached a clearing where the trees stretched impossibly tall,

Their branches twisted into shapes that looked almost like faces.

This place gives me the creeps,

Max muttered.

Ember sniffed the air.

Pixies are definitely nearby.

I can smell them.

What do they smell like,

Max asked.

Candy and trouble,

Ember replied.

Before Max could ask what kind of candy,

The sound of giggling filled the air.

He looked around the clearing and gasped.

High above them,

Nestled in the branches of the tallest tree,

Was the pixies' hideout.

It wasn't just a hideout,

It was a full-blown playground.

There were slides made of golden ribbons,

Swings crafted from strands of spider silk and zip lines strung between the branches.

At the centre of it all,

Mounted like a trophy,

Was Ember's toothbrush.

They turned it into a slide,

Max exclaimed.

Ember's jaw dropped.

That's outrageous.

That's my toothbrush,

Not a toy.

The pixies,

Perched on various parts of their playground,

Burst into laughter.

The lead pixie,

The one who had taken the toothbrush,

Fluttered down to hover in front of Max and Ember.

If you want it back,

You'll have to earn it,

She declared,

Crossing her tiny arms.

Max folded his arms.

Fine,

What's the deal?

The pixie grinned wickedly.

We'll give it back,

If you can win three of our games.

But be warned,

We never lose.

Max glanced at Ember,

Who was looking nervous.

What kind of games?

The pixies' grin widened.

Oh,

You'll see.

The pixies led Max and Ember to a clearing surrounded by glowing mushrooms.

At the centre was a pile of strange objects.

Feathers,

Pebbles and sticks,

All glowing faintly.

For the first game,

The lead pixie announced,

You'll have to build the tallest tower using only these objects.

But if it fails,

You lose.

Max knelt beside the pile,

Examining the materials.

This doesn't seem too hard,

He said,

Picking up a feather.

It's harder than it looks,

Ember muttered.

Pixies entant everything they touch.

Watch this.

He picked up his stick,

Only for it to wiggle like a snake and leap out of his claws.

Max groaned.

Great,

Enchanted building blocks.

The pixies sniggered as the game began.

Max and Ember carefully stacked the objects,

But each piece had a mind of its own.

Feathers floated away,

Pebbles rolled off and sticks wiggled like worms.

Hold that one steady,

Max said,

Balancing on a log to place the feather on top of their precarious tower.

I'm trying,

Ember growled,

Using his claws to hold down a particularly fidgety pebble.

Meanwhile,

The pixies' tower was growing steadily.

The enchanted materials seemed to cooperate with them.

We're going to lose,

Max whispered,

Panic creeping into his voice.

Not if I can help it,

Ember said.

He blew a small puff of smoke at the pixies' tower,

Causing the top to wobble.

Hey,

No cheating,

The lead pixie shouted.

Max grinned.

You never said we couldn't use dragon's breath.

The pixies glared,

But the game continued.

In the final moments,

Max balanced a feather atop their tower just as the pixies' structure collapsed in a pile of glowing rubble.

We did it,

Max cheered,

Jumping down from the log.

The lead pixies growled.

Fine,

You won this round,

But the next game won't be so easy.

The pixies wasted no time setting up the next challenge.

They led Max and Ember to a shallow stream that sparkled under the dappled sunlight.

At the water's edge sat a rowboat made entirely of leaves tied together with vines.

For the second game,

The lead pixie announced with a smug grin.

You'll race us down the stream,

First one to reach the big oak tree wins.

But beware,

The waters are enchanted.

Enchanted how?

Max asked,

Narrowing his eyes.

Oh,

You will see,

The pixie replied,

Doing a flip in the air.

Get ready to lose.

Max climbed into the leaf boat,

Which rocked precariously under his weight.

Ember stood awkwardly by the water.

Um,

I don't think I'll fit,

The dragon said,

Gesturing to his large frame.

The lead pixie giggled.

That's your problem,

But don't worry,

You can help your human friend by swimming alongside him.

If you don't sink,

That is.

Max glanced nervously at Ember.

Can you swim?

Of course I can swim,

Ember huffed,

But I haven't done it in a while.

Dragons aren't exactly built for rivers.

With that,

The race began.

The pixies zipped off in their tiny boat,

Which moved impossibly fast,

Zipping across the water as if propelled by magic.

Max's boat,

On the other hand,

Drifted lazily along,

Bobbing in the current.

We're never going to win at this rate,

Max shouted.

I've got an idea,

Ember said.

With a splash,

He dove into the water and began paddling alongside the boat,

Creating waves that pushed it forward.

For a moment,

It seemed like they were gaining ground.

But then,

The stream came alive.

Look out,

Max yelled,

As a sudden swirl of water formed a whirlpool ahead.

The pixies' boat zipped around it effortlessly,

While Max and Ember were spun in circles.

Hang on,

Ember roared,

Grabbing the boat with his claw and pulling it out of the whirlpool.

As they regained their momentum,

New obstacles appeared.

The water rippled,

And shiny,

Fish-like creatures with shimmering scales leapt out,

Splashing Max and Ember.

Pixie fish,

Ember growled.

They're trying to slow us down.

Max swatted at the fish with a paddle.

Keep going,

We're catching up.

With a final burst of effort,

Ember propelled the boat forward,

Narrowly avoiding a swarm of jumping pixie fish and an enchanted lark that tried to block their path.

Ahead,

The big oak tree came into view.

The pixies' boat was just inches away from the finish line when Ember surged forward,

Creating a wave that sent their boat flying past the pixies in a dramatic photo finish.

We did it,

Max cheered,

Throwing his hands in the air.

The lead pixie hovered above the water,

Her arms crossed and her tiny face twisted in frustration.

Fine,

You win this round too,

But the last game will be the hardest of all.

For the last game,

The pixies led Max and Ember to a meadow filled with tall grass and wildflowers.

At the centre was a large flat stone,

Covered in shimmering ruins.

The final challenge is a riddle,

The lead pixie said,

Her voice taking on a theatrical tone.

Solve it and the toothbrush is yours.

Fail and it is ours forever.

Bring it on,

Max said,

Crossing his arms.

The pixies smirked and recited,

I am not alive,

But I grow.

I don't have lungs,

But I need air to survive.

I don't have a mouth,

Yet I drown when given water.

What am I?

Max scratched his head.

Not alive,

But grows?

Needs air?

Drowns in water?

Hmm.

Ember furrowed his brow.

That's a tricky one.

Let's think about it.

The pixies giggled,

Clearly confident that the riddle would stump their challengers.

Max paced back and forth,

Muttering to himself.

Not alive,

Grows,

Air,

Drowns in water?

Ember suddenly perked up.

Wait a minute,

I think I know the answer.

Max turned to him wide-eyed.

You do?

Ember nodded.

It's fire.

Fire grows,

Needs air,

And goes out if you pour water on it.

Max grinned.

That's it!

He turned to the lead pixie.

The answer is fire.

The pixies' grin disappeared,

Replaced by a scrowl.

Lucky guess,

She muttered.

Then,

With a reluctant wave of her hand,

She summoned the toothbrush from the playground above.

It floated down into Ember's waiting claws.

You've won,

But don't think we'll go easy on you next time.

Back in Max's backyard,

Ember gleefully scrubbed the rest of his teeth with his reclaimed toothbrush.

Thank you,

Max,

He said,

His voice booming.

I couldn't have done it without you.

Max laughed.

It's not every day you get to help a dragon with dental hygiene.

Ember grinned,

Showing off his sparkling teeth.

You're a good friend,

Max,

And because of that,

I owe you a favour.

If you ever need a dragon's help,

Just call for me.

Max nodded.

I'll remember that.

As Ember flew off into the sky,

Max looked down at his muddy shoes and toothpaste-covered shirt.

Well,

He said to himself,

That was the weirdest Saturday ever.

But deep down,

He knew he wouldn't trade it for anything.

The end.

Thank you,

My friends.

I hope you enjoyed the story.

Now,

Sweet dreams and good night.